Pakistan begin a white ball tour of New Zealand on Sunday when the two sides meet in the first of what will be a five match T20 series as we see both nations begin their build-up to the T20 World Cup next year.
New Zealand head into this series off the back of going so close in the Champions Trophy while a failed effort on home soil will act as the motivation that Pakistan need to perform over the next few weeks which should make for some decent cricket.
New Zealand
This was always going to be an interesting series for New Zealand because they were never going to have their senior players around. The IPL begins at the weekend so any player who has a contract in that tournament was never going to be available for this series so it will be very much a second string squad which will compete here, therefore judging their form using the recent Champions Trophy is fairly pointless. One thing we do know is there are plenty with something to prove here.
New Zealand are no strangers to having a second string squad out with them though. This will be their fourth T20 match of the English winter with them coming out on top in a three-match T20 series with Sri Lanka in the back end of 2024 and the early part of 2025. Generally New Zealand are strong with the ball regardless of how strong their squad is so if their less experienced batters can get the job done here then they will be hard to beat.
Pakistan
It was definitely not the Champions Trophy that Pakistan would have wanted on home soil when they were out of the competition before it began and one of the reasons for that was an early loss to New Zealand which I’m sure the Asian side would want to avenge, although very few of the protagonists who were responsible for that defeat are here for this series so that might need to wait. Coming out on top in this opening game will be a start though.
Pakistan always seem to be in transition with their cricket team regardless of what the format is and where the matches are taking place and that is very much the case here. To be fair, you can understand it this time because there is a T20 World Cup in around 11 months. They have picked an inexperienced squad with the aim of moulding a strong XI ready for that tournament and it will be interesting to see how that goes. Much like their opposition here, Pakistan look strong with the ball and their results will be determined by what they produce with the bat.
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Team News
New Zealand are without the likes of Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway for this series so the batting will be spearheaded by Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell. Michael Bracewell skippers the side in the absence of Mitchell Santner.
Pakistan have changed things up massively and out have gone the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan while Fakhar Zaman remains out injured. The likes of Mohammad Haris will get his chance to shine while Shadab Khan has earned a recall.
Betting
I’m a little surprised that the odds are as far apart between these two as they are in truth. Both teams have some second string or up and coming players in their ranks but Pakistan have their first choice bowling unit out in the main and that might be the most significant factor here. They are talking about high risk cricket and putting the pressure onto the bowler and if that comes off then with their attack as strong as it is they are going to be tough to beat.
You can get 15/8 on Pakistan to win this match and I think the contest is closer than that. If Pakistan can get rid of Finn Allen early doors then they will be in business and the slightly bigger boundaries at Hagley will allow their spinners to come to the party as well. I understand why New Zealand are favourites but Pakistan are an experienced side with the ball and most of their batters have plenty of experience in the PSL. I just think the tourists are overpriced here.
Tips
Back Pakistan to beat New Zealand for a 3/10 stake at 2.88 with Coral
